Madonna defends parenting skills

The singer's 15-year-old son Rocco recently walked out of her 'Rebel Heart' tour to go live with his father Guy Ritchie in London and Madonna has taken to Instagram to praise "strong independent single working moms" amid claims she and Guy are gearing up for a custody battle.

Madonna shared a picture of herself with Rocco and her other children, Lourdes, 19, David, 10, and Mercy, nine, and wrote: "Its possible to be an entertainer and a good mother!!! Too bad we don't live in a society where many encourage strong independent single working moms! The next great Frontier! #revolutionoflove continues #rebelheart4ever (sic)."

According to TMZ, Rocco - and his father - feel he has a more "stable and loving" home life with Guy, his wife Jacqui Ainsley and their three children, Rafael, four, Rivka, three, and Levi, 18 months.

The teenager thinks his 'Like a Virgin' singer mother is "too controlling" and doesn't pay him any real attention.

Because of Rocco's strong views, Guy has now hired a lawyer and is preparing for a legal battle to keep custody of his son, who left Madonna's tour a month ago and refused to return to her for Christmas.

A New York judge has ordered Rocco back to the US for a hearing next month.